Inna, you are a visionary. A teacher. A trailblazer. You are a pioneer. You are a strong woman. You have a vision for uplifting Ukrainian people, sharing Ukrainian language with the world, and bringing people together to uplift and celebrate Ukrainian culture. Your vision preceded the horrific invasion of your home. This is so powerful. It means that in your heart, were planted the seeds of your dream, to survive this terrible war. The world needs your gifts, Inna. Don't give up. Sending you love from the US. Slava Ukraini

I wish you the best of lucks. You are basically the only youtuber that teaches Ukrainian that I watch and I really don't need anyone else! Дякую for your work ❤

You have succeeded in making Oxford Oblast a much better place and I feel blessed to have you in my country. I hope that your experience with academia has not dampened your opinion of British people. We have many flaws, but our friendship with Ukrainians is one of the things I am most proud of when it comes to my country.

Dear Inna, I'm sad to see you struggling and really admire your determination. I can attest that being politely stonewalled by British institutions is one of the worst things ever... please don't let it get you down. Do you know the English saying "like water off a duck's back"? That's what that needs to be to you: let as much of it as possible just slide off your beautiful spirit... and keep going. I have an unpredictable schedule but I would do my best to attend your classes in London. As well as regular classes it would be great to have workshops or short intensive courses, partly to home in on a particular topic or skill but also to accommodate the precarious lives of many Londoners: for some of us it's much easier to block one day or weekend in our diaries than to make a regular weekly commitment for months. And it may be a good way to start growing your in-person classes, because you would only need to secure a venue for a short period of time - the next workshop could take place somewhere else. You already have a strong brand and are very good at marketing, so I don't think you need to be associated with a particular venue for the classes to work. Hopefully see you tomorrow evening 🤗

I understand your frustration about people going to Russian studies. At my university, there is a Ukrainian studies course, but there's only two of us there, whilst there are at least 50 people on the Russian studies. Keep up the good work, Inna! Слава Україні!

Following you on Instagram now. I will keep you and Ukraine in my prayers. Much love from Texas .

Sorry you're not getting proper support in this dark time. You don't need oxford, or institutions. Keep doing what you love, keep doing what you know is right. The people who understand will support you. Thank you for your teachings, and best of luck in your endeavors!! 💙💛🇺🇦

Sorry to hear of your disappointment Inna. Don’t worry, something better and more rewarding will come along for you. Keep strong! Thank you so much for your Ukrainian lessons - i teach English to Ukrainian refugees here and I love the Ukrainian people so much, I've started to learn your language ❤ 🇺🇦

Silly Oxford, there loss! Keep moving forward Inna and thank you for your awesome lessons and dedication. Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦♥️

I am in the USA...very proud of you. I think you are wonderful!

wow, inna, this was a very heart felt video. i am a solo software developer doing my own project so i really feel you when you say you try so hard, and get no feedback, and it's very difficult sometimes to keep going. but i agree with you that Ukrainian will be taught widely in the future so... i don't know... as long as you keep moving forward it will be ok. i laughed a lot when you start swearing at the end btw 🤣 wish i lived closer to london so i could take your course

oh i'm so sorry to hear you didn't get an offer. the academic situation in the USA is also really difficult at this time. i wish you the best. i look forward to visiting your cultural center in kyiv, hopefully soon.

You keep going Inna. I’m just a beginner and your videos have been a great help to me. As soon as I’m flush with money again I’ll sign up and channel you some money.

Sorry for everything you're going through Inna! You're a fantastic person and you've done so much for the Ukrainian language. I know what whatever you put your mind to will be a success. Good luck with your new plans and keep fighting the fight. Persistence will always pay off eventually! Разом до перемоги!!

inna know that a lot of people are willing to support you; I hope sincerely that you will find the love you deserve !!!

All the best Inna. You deserve it. Sometimes life takes really unwanted turns and you need strength and courage to march through it. Just keep taking steps. You will get there. Sending you hugs.🦶🦶💪💛💙

Я сподіваюся, що ваша ситуація скоро видужає. Продовжуйте боротися - ви вже так багато досягли. Сподіваюся, з вашою родиною все гаразд, пролунало так, ніби ви сказали, що з вашим чоловіком щось трапилося - можливо, ви мали на увазі щось інше. Усього найкращого вам та всім миролюбним людям на світі.

Inna - please don't give up hope, I am shocked and surprised that such as prestigious university can be so short sited as not to invest in such a passionate and dedicated woman such as yourself. I agree with you that its important to keep the Ukrainian culture and language alive. I have friends in Kyiv and Boryspil and although I do not live in London I would love to learn the Ukrainian language and most definitely not Russian. I pray that everything does work out for you and that the Ukrainian language and your dreams become a reality.

Dear Inna, I hope you realize what a huge influence you have had, and continue to have. I have only been learning for a month, but I've been very intensive, constantly looking everywhere for more resources, and absolutely everywhere I go, you are mentioned as the top teacher and content creator. You are really a one-woman-army changing the world. I understand how someone like you can become disappointed, but remember that you are light-years ahead of the rest of society in this matter. The universities etc will catch up, but it takes time. You are doing the right thing, and support will come slowly but surely. I wish I could support by joining the online course (I'm in Denmark), but I don't currently have the time. I will buy your books now, and the rest will come later. I really hope to speak to you in your language centre in Kyiv in the future, hopefully soon. Найкращі побажання! Слава Україні!

So sad to hear. I started Ukrainian on Duolingo and just discovered your channel, and I love it. I started Russian and dropped it to switch to Ukrainian because of you know who. Good luck with your plans! Glory to Ukraine.

Really sorry to hear that Oxford hasn't been supportive, especially after giving you so much hope to begin with. I wouldn't be able to attend your in-person courses in London as I live in northern Essex but will definitely take a look at your website. I don't seem to be making much progress with Duolingo! My eyes have certainly been opened to what russian 'culture' actually stands for. Good luck and I hope your time in the UK gets better and better from now on!

Inna, on the channel we supported you for a long time. This has been a great experience. Your energy and effort will help you reach your goals. We will be here cheering you on as you walk that path. We see Ukrainian victory and success is never a straight line. It's ok. Let's enjoy the turns and learn the language together. I don't care about Oxford right now. You are my Ukrainian teacher. 2019?!?!? Hey we are early buddies on the channel. Cool!

I am so proud of you!

Good luck. I'm sure you will succeed. I am following your excellent videos. I'm in the UK but not near London but will look out for your online course! Дуже дякую!

All the best congratulations 🎉🇨🇦👋👍

I am sorry about your teaching situation. That's the British way of saying No. British people are like that, they are hypocrites. You cannot trust them. I will enrol for your London courses. I live in London.I have contacted you some months back about your course but the venue for it was in Oxford as you told me and which was not convenient for me. I have been to Ukraine 4 times (Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv, Odessa) prior to the war.

This saddens me. I’ve been increasingly frustrated by my own university’s Department of Slavonic Studies lack of a response to the war. (They have a prominent connection with russian and russia and are incredibly reluctant to do anything at all.) There is only a message of regret and condolence on their website, and they condemn the war but they do not show any support towards Ukraine. Impartiality when there is an obvious perpetrator, feels remarkably like apathy and it feels totally against the spirit of what an institution like a university is for. They do nothing to recognise Ukrainian language or culture and when there are protests in the city, the department is invited and they don’t even respond to the messages that are sent to them. It’s so sad when people want the moral high ground, but don’t want to do any of the work to get there.

There is an official Ukrainian course in the University of Belgrade. You can even get a degree in Ukrainian!

Dear Inna. Thank you for finding the strength to open up and express what is happening. There is so much that I want to say, but it's hard to find the right words. I work at a UK university, and I know how conservative (slowly reacting to change in society) these institutions can be. I am in London and am planning to come to the Ukrainian speaking club tomorrow (Tuesday) if it's still going ahead. Happy to talk about this with you in person if you would like to (no pressure though, of course, but if you need a listening ear, let me know). Dita

Дякую Вам за працю та цікаве відео.

It's shameful that Oxford does not offer Ukrainian.

Inna, your impact is much larger than you think. I'm very sorry for the difficult times you're having. Know that you're making a difference.....❤

Thank you for your insight and desire to teach, stay strong ...

Thank you Inna for your vlog today. My name is Sergio. Thank you for being so frank and honest. That speaks highly of you. I have no doubt your dreams will come through in due time. Keep pushing and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Do not worry about not being accepted to teach at Oxford University. It is obvious that this was not for you and when things don't work the way we want we should never fight it, just go over it and keep your eyes and ears opened for the next opportunity. Just keep your dreams (all of them) alive. You will accomplish all of them (0ne by one) but it will take time, so you must be patient. You are a relentless warrior, you have good, undeniable intentions for all of us; and I mean all, your people, your relatives, your ukrainian communites, the entire world around you. keep working diligently and the universe will help you achieve everything you set your mind to. I will be praying for you, your dreams, and for your relatives in Kherson. Only God knows when this horrible war will end, but Ukraine will win. Thanks for teaching your beautiful language to us who care and like to learn it (i'm new to your classes though). I wish you the best in all your endeavors. Be safe and be good. Cheers from Mexico. 👍🙏🌹

Come to Canada! There are universities here that have Ukrainian Studies programs. It is so important to keep the Ukrainian culture and language going. My ancestors came to Canada in the late 1800’s and even though I am 4th generation Canadian I still follow Ukrainian traditions and speak Ukrainian. In Alberta, not only does the university have a Ukrainian studies program but there are Ukrainian bilingual programs from kindergarten all the way to high school. 🇨🇦🇺🇦

Tough times to start such a project. Success isn't guaranteed, of course. You are one of the beautiful faces of Ukraine, and always will be. Thank you for what you do.

We're supporting you!

Keep your head up! I'm from USA.! Mexican American. Always tried.to.learn. In Cali, met many Ukrainian people. You guys are Super Nice and respectful people! You have my love and support! You are beautiful people! Take care.... & keep. Going!

I’m enrolled in your course starting August 28th. I am very excited to learn Ukrainian. Inna, you are a warrior for the Ukrainian language in the fight for Ukraine to be known and recognized as an independent democratic country. This is the task of a lifetime. Do not be discouraged by these setbacks. The world is only just beginning to know Ukraine. Take care of yourself, do some fun things to rest and revive yourself. Then go on doing what you do so well. (I love the swearing at the end)

Oxford schmoxford! Academia is quite a vicious fishbowl these days. Taking your talents elsewhere and living on your own terms is the best path forward. I’m rooting for you! ❤

So sorry to hear this, you've been doing an excellent job and your You Tube videos are so informative. A lot of universities are quite traditional ie not innovative. Keep up the good work I'm sure the right opportunity will arise. Good luck and keep the videos coming.

Будь ти благословенна, і хай тобі Бог допомагає, бо ти завжди була чесним, добрим, і сильним з нами. Повір, що ти ніколи не сам, і я завжди тебе слухаю, навіть якщо лише тут на Балі. Пишайся цим, що ти Український вчитель, і не російської. Ти завжди повна світла. Згадай це 💙💛

Чудово. Дякую. Вітаю.

Дякую Інно, it is important, without your school i would be lost....

“No in a polite way”… not really. They left you hanging, and shame on them. A polite way would be to say “we appreciate your work but unfortunately we can’t offer you that right now”. What they did was rude. Inna, you are a light in the world and we love you ❤ Keep going. We are all cheering for you.

I wish you all the best! I have been dreaming about having a cultural center or something similar in Ukraine myself. I have a background in literary studies, games and cultural studies, and I would love to give something back to the Ukrainian people once it is possible.

Inna, all the best for your future and career. I have been enjoying your teaching videos a lot.

I hope your husband is ok. 🙏 "I am single woman now" sounds very worrying.

Hugs Inna, I hope you find a way to make a path that is consistent with your values. You are in the birthplace of bureaucracy designed to frustrate you. You are smart and right to look to London, keep at it and find a way to achieve your success.

I guess that people want to learn Russian because it is the 8th most spoken language in the World (258 million people). One reason why I will not be learning Russian is that I don't want to visit dangerous countries. I am sure that your efforts to teach Ukrainian in London will prosper. The more Ukrainians live in the UK the more jobs there will be for translators in hospitals and in other settings.

I'm sorry to hear of your problems. I'm happy that you are safe in UK and our two nations are close. Keep trying and this country is slow moving at times but I am sure you will succeed.

It's so frustrating that everyone tells us to learn and teach only russian when we want to learn another language :'-( So bad that it is so difficult for you ! I don't understand !! We need more ressources for learning underrated languages in general and not focus everything on the international ones... Всього найкращого

I am so sad you have encountered such difficulties in following your path, your dream. There is value in preserving your Ukrainian language and culture and spreading it to the world. Continue to be strong.

Love you Inna! You are so optimistic and positive! Love your work. You are doing amazing things.

when you set up in London I will sign up immediately as I am eager to know Ukrainian. I learn better in person. I have background in Russian language, which I do not want to read/speak any more, out of anti-Russia principle, as Russia is evil. I have dear friends in zolotonosha (cherkasi oblast). One who has come to U.K, just outside London with her child (obviously husband under ukrainian defence law is conscripted to stay in ukraine). the rest stay in ukraine. i will buy t shirt from your charity store tomorrow (which is pay day!) ❤

Godspeed

I can hear a lot of frustration in your voice and it is understood as to why this is. The manifestation of frustration is a wall that starts at foot level and often we step over it daily. Waking up to a waist high wall that becomes the barrier for easy tasks and allows for a Soviet style wall to raise high that blocks light. Use your fists to break the wall, kick it when it is a foot high. I believe you will figure out your plan and formulate an angle of attack. Maybe you can incorporate Soviet failings into your course, to spin the ones who are fascinated with that era? Stay strong! Freedom! Glory!

Inna, keep going, you will succeed! Life is tough at times, very tough, believe in yourself, pray , connect with nature and the universe. 🙏🙏🙏

I had no idea you were in such a discouraging spot. I have big hopes for you. If I lived in London, I would certainly join your course. Instead, I'll just have to order a book.

Hello Inna thank you for the update on what’s going on with your future goals. Like you said that you are going to keep fighting forward to achieve your goals and to never give up your dream. Wishing you the best of luck on your future success with your Ukrainian language school. 🇬🇧👍🏻🇺🇦

Another door will open for you and your important work. Thank you for Ukrainian language and culture. You are strong. You are important. Keep right on.

Slava Ukraine and Slava you. I wish you well in your new venture, I live outside of London, I had thought about learning basic Ukrainian, but also I have an Albanian penfriend and I have been concentrating on learning some of her language. I watch your videos when I can I find them very helpful and you are a natural teacher.

We have a saying in Wales Inna 'cenedl heb iaith, cenedl heb galon' it means a nation without a language is a nation without a heart. By teaching Ukrainian and sharing your culture you are fighting back no one can take that away from you. As the old adage goes nothing hard comes easy and as hard it is the gray will fade the clouds disappear and the sun will shine. Remember your worth remember how far you come and be proud for all you are and all you're yet to be.

Oxford has a good reputation only because it is an ancient place of learning. Not because it is the best place to get an education. You are the best person on the internet I've found to teach the Ukrainian language. Дякую, слава Україні.

Nothing easy is worthwhile and nothing worthwhile is easy. Stay strong, perseverance has its own rewards.

Keep strong Inna! Слава Україні !🇺🇦

Life is hard, but Ukrainians are strong!! You will succeed, wherever you are! If Oxford does not appreciate you, I wonder if you have considered approaching Cambridge? 💙🙏🏽💛🇺🇦💪🏽🌅

I'd like to learn Ukrainian language and history, but none of the colleges or universities near me offer it. I'll have to check out your online classes. Best of luck to you and hopefully the orcs will be driven out soon. Slava Ukraini. 🌻🌻

Hey inna...thx for your trust to be so open with us... I will say you, you inspire me and I will start to learn Ukrainian language on the 28. August curse...keep on going... lovely regards from Germany (Dresden)...and I wich you good luck for your next steps❤🇺🇦

Inna, I am very sorry to hear all this. That's a lot of setbacks to take on all at once. I hope things will turn around for you very soon. Stay strong. Your hard work will pay off eventually. I'm working through your book and want to take your course sometime. Keep teaching, there's a lot of us out here trying to learn Ukrainian. Thanks for all you do to spread your language. Will definitely keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Слава Україні!

I'm so sorry about your misfortunes with your class and your personal life. I hope you are able to get many students in London. I hope for Ukraine's victory really soon.

Thank you for sharing and for being so candid. You are such a wonderful person Inna. Please don’t get discouraged. You have so many of us who are rooting for you and praying for you.

Support you.

Everything will be slow and difficult because of bureaucracy.

I am almost crying after seeing this. I give you all my support, and I just wanted to tell you that I am always smiling and happy to see that you post new videos, it's my favorite youtube notification and I owe you a lot of my knowledges in ukrainian. thank you for all)

Inna, maybe you can somehow speak with Anna in Ukraine who has her own utube channel. She gets on line every day to inform people what is going on and has since the start of the war. She is passionate about her Country, just like you. Also, Olena Gnes … she lives in US at the moment, and suffers greatly from this war. Maybe you 3 can somehow speak together. You all are suffering from this war and none of us outside can truly know how it feels. You can give each other support and strength and form deep bonds of friendship!!!

I enjoyed your video ,you put your heart into it!!!

I feel you Inna. Stay strong. Все буде добре. Praying for you! *hugs*

I hope things work out for you and yours. Thank you for your lessons and the updates. The only thing in life that stays the same, is that everything changes always.

Inna I'm so sorry, I can hear the hurt in your voice. I hope you know you're a wonderful teacher and person. Lighting a candle for you and your family.

I hope some opportunities will come soon, Inna. You are an outstanding teacher :)

I'm so sorry it's such a though time for you Inna. I wish you the best of luck with your new projects and I thank you so much for your hard work in these trying times. You're an innovative and creative teacher... I'm sure things will work out for you and that one day I will get to visit your cultural centre in Kyiv and tell you in person of much you inspire me! All the best!

I can't wait for the new London 'Speak Ukrainian' classes. Go Girl! ❤

Sorry to hear about your husband 😔

Інно, дуже дякуємо Вам за Ваші зусилля і місію популяризувати нашу прекрасну мову!! Борітеся-поборете, вам Бог помагає! І ми разом з ним! Пишуть українці Лондона! Все у вас вийде, повірте!!

Dear Inna, I’m sorry that your path is so difficult, and that you’re going through so much right now. Personally, I appreciate the work that you do, and have been using your videos in my own study of the Ukrainian language. I have chosen to learn Ukrainian as an act of solidarity during this difficult time, and because I do believe that it’s one of the best ways to fight back against Russian imperialism. Please keep your head up and know that you have many friends and supporters all over the world, even if it’s hard to feel that way at times. We do see you and we do appreciate you! I believe your efforts ARE making a difference, and still have the potential to make an even bigger difference! Your contribution is valuable, so never doubt that! Also, I believe the saying is true that sometimes when one door closes, another door opens. So please keep up the good work! 🇺🇦 Дуже дякую, Інна!

Szkoda, że 1,5 roku od wybuchy wojny nadal musisz tłumaczyć ludziom z czym tak na prawdę się zmaga Ukraina. Wielkie uznanie za Twoje zaangażowanie trzymam kciuki za rozwój szkoły w UK i żeby wszystko ułożyło się po Twojej myśli. Upust emocji po 13:45 ❤

I am so sorry for the disappointment. Keep positive and going.

i think the cruel reality is in funding. Cantonese programs are never a thing or struggle to survive in western countries, and it's far worse in non-western ones, where only Mandarin, like Russian, is preferred. to me, learning Ukrainian always feels like Cantonese itself. my recent observation was Ukrainians in Toronto seemed to also be struggling with (finding work). I know very few of your people, and I can only say they are also struggling even though they are far from the war scene like you are. I think HKers in Cda are only merely having a bit more savings to deal with our tough job market. We don't even have time for our native language that is unknown, untaught, almost everywhere outside the native regions. Really. I could also do "Mandarin" myself, but, I don't know if your people are so much bilingual, personally, while I *am* capable of teaching Cantonese myself, I think doing "a profitable language you do speak" doesn't work this way. Even if I taught Mandarin myself, it wouldn't feel genuine. You also know your channel is on this language, not another. There is no added benefit even if you include elements of Polish or Belarusian or what have you. And as a learner myself, I do think in 2023 Ukrainian books, apart from yours, are still just only this few. It's quite obvious other publishers are mostly on Russian followed by Polish, as far as Slavic languages go. And online tutors from UA not so known elsewhere, honestly, tend to do both Ukrainian and Russian. Whereas on my side, Cantonese teachers are already few, and practically nobody does both Cantonese and Mandarin. I am personally struggling, and I honestly think you've already made this far. At least if people search for this language, your name will appear pretty top in search results out of everything Ukrainian that people can search. Video and channel are all difficult tasks.

Previt Inna. I hope you find sincere people who can help you in your teaching career path & who share your same enthusiasm & vision of the importance of teaching the Ukrainian language & its culture including its music & food. Let this be your positive energy coming from you_ don't waste it trying to convince pro-Russian ppl to think otherwise. Ukraine is a free & Democratic nation & has to remain one.

Keep going! I love your video's and learn so much of those! Slava Ukraini

Keep posting and telling your story. It is too easy for news media to move on to another story. It is so important for the continuing reality of the invasion to be heard and known. Best wishes with your private courses in London. Online classes are good too!

i appreciate you being so open as to what your life is like ... it is super cool that you pioneered teaching the Ukrainian language at Oxford University. I love, and share, your passion for justice. I respect how much initiative and drive you have .... and I love your attitude about Soviet-era stuff. I think your sentiments about russia features well-chosen words, too. I agree. Even so, this is a very difficult time for you. You are strong but that doesn't make difficult times any less difficult. And new beginnings can be intimidating and scary. You have my respectful sympathy.

That's disappointing, but please stick with it. Maybe I'm being a paranoid "conspiracy theorist", but England has long been a target of Russian (both the USSR and Russian Federation) propaganda efforts. There's probably an unconscious pro-Russian bias in the minds of many academics in the field of Eastern European studies. I'm not saying that they are deliberately, consciously excluding Ukrainian language and perspectives. I'm just saying that people are influenced by what they believe, and the Russians have put a lot of work into shaping those beliefs. I am enrolled in your online course for beginners starting this month, and I am looking forward to it. Good luck with your London language school. Slava Ukraini!

Harvard University in the United States has the Ukrainian Studies Research Institute which may offer grants and fellowships.

Professor Atle Grønn at the University of Oslo, has started teaching Ukrainian Grammar. He became interested in the Russian language as a Chess-player. I know him slightly from my own studies in Russian literature and language. Actually that brought me to Odesa, and that gave me some sense of connection to Ukraine and some feeling and sense of the country. Anyway, I remember how Atle Grønn, as a fellow student started asking questions during language history classes. It is an incredibly interesting field of research. What we learned in those historical classes, working through that ancient literature and Church Slavonic scriptures, has ignited a desire to learn more. You are creating a language school, and as opposed to academic learning, your students learn to speak. My experience with academia is that they downplay the practical learning of the language. But if you can do academic research and write papers about some topic, you have some chance to get in. By the way, I have noticed how pleasant your English is becoming. Anyway, I do not have much capacity for now, except for cheering you on. You are really strong, and you will succeed. If I can give a small tip or two, I would be very happy.

Inna my friend (and I do consider you a friend) As so many have expressed, I am sad to hear about your struggles. You are and will be a mentor to me. My name is Kap, I am an Emergency Medical Technician and trying to come to Ukraine on a medical mission. So, learning the language is the most important. I am using DuoLingo together with "your" videos to learn. You are very important to me personally and I hope one day to come to provide medical assistance to your/our country, as I know my grandparents came from the former Keiv, U.S.S.R. as it was once known. Stay strong, your teachings mean a lot to me. Peace be with Ukraine

I am so sorry that it is so hard for you at the moment. I love your youtube channel, your book explaining cases....I would love to attend some in person lessons...I wish you were nearer!! The UK is such a foolish country with not looking forward to language learning, Oxford and Cambridge live on old reputations...they are not the best universities for students who need support...I am not surprised that they are not ideal for their tutors either. Much love from me xx

Inna, I am regrouping too. I traveled to L'viv on June 30th. Arrive in Krakow on the 29th and left the same day. I met an American speaking Ukrainian woman on the train. What are the odds. We actually sat across from one another on the polish train to Przemysl. One on one seats facing each other: strangers. I spent a couple days in L'viv and then I travelled to Kyiv. By July 10th I was in Kramatorsk. I was there for 8 days. I met and spoke to a 16-year-old who was in the Ria Lounge in late June when the missile struck it. She spoke some English. This was not an easy trip. The carriage of the train was filled mostly with soldiers going to the from. Very quiet and serious. When I left, again the soldiers were quiet, and some were sick with some kind of respiratory illness. I used your youtube channel clips as a learning tool so I would have some ability to speak, particularly to ask if someone spoke English. It is funny because after my return to Milwaukee July 31, yesterday, August 17, I was coming home from work when a young man asked about parking on the street. He was with an older woman and a small 3-year-old child. I looked at the woman and she looked familiar and she said something, just a couple of words very softly. I immediately recognized something about it and said in Ukrainian, Ви розмовляєте англійською? The woman said "no" in English and then she and her son became very upbeat and asked or concluded I was Ukrainian. I had said it so strongly and confidently and laid it out perfectly. This other man who was trying to help from the street, upon hearing me, was shocked by my use of what was to him a foreign language. But I think the Ukrainian language is a beautiful sounding language. I then told them I was from here (I lived one block away) and we talked about how they came from Chicago to Milwaukee to buy a car. The circumstances were very difficult. Ukrainians didn't know who I was and they didn't know if they could trust me. It was rather odd to them that I was alone, apparently, in Ukraine, and this was particularly true of the residents of Kramatorsk. I got some idea what it was like to be a resident from Kramatorsk. I paid and road on the buses and trams. Taxi drivers were nervous. I think they didn't know if I was in intelligence or that I might get the in trouble as an accomplish. The person, I believe it was a man who communicated by telephone or other method had already been arrested for the missile attack and he would be sentence soon thereafter. People were afraid of me. However, I did speak to some individuals, whether soldiers, doctors, or administrator about the war. I am currently trying to raise money for drone purchases. I can tell you it took some time adjusting back mentally and physically. I developed my own respiratory illness. Perhaps, this is when I was on the bus from L'viv to Krakow (trains were booked) when I spent more than 12 hours at the border waiting to get across. I didn't know whether I would return again and whether I might start where I left off in learning Ukrainian. My observations tell me that the war will continue beyond this year and likely beyond next year too. The question is time. Do I have time and the discipline to take actual lessons rather than listening to your youtube clips and repeating and writing over and over. I got pretty good at knowing how the signs sound as I read the words. Of course, many words are so long. I just for the first time, today, this morning, started feeling back to normal. I got my strength back or I can see it is quickly coming back. I am positive again. I want to return to Ukraine. I know what Ukrainian I knew helped and I now know what I need to work on. What words and kinds of conversations to have. Of course, being able to understand what others are saying in Ukrainian is tough too. I will play day by day and see what happens. I've got a lot on my plate besides. (I'm not going to proof read this but I think it's pretty well written.) Take care. I spent months listening to your voice. I spent months laughing and looking forward to hearing your voice.

Hi Inna, just a brainstorming idea here, you are the best Ukrainian English speaker I've heard, and I clearly hear your dream to teach Ukrainian to the rest of the world. When faced with adversity, I often try think how to reverse the situation. Would you consider postponing your dream a little bit during the war and help leverage your unique abilities to create an intensive Ukrainian to English technical curriculum to help Ukrainian pilots speed up their transition time? It could help you to get established as well as help your country out greatly. Full disclosure, I'm not from the UK, and don't know anything about the military or pilot training, but from what you are saying, maybe in a time of war, if there is not a lot of demand to learn Ukrainian, there might be a huge amount of necessity and demand in this particular area to bridge Ukrainian service people with technical English if they are going to need to quickly transition to NATO weapon systems. In my experience Demand Pull is much easier sell than Demand Push. When the war is won, you can always resume your original dream. Just a thought... I believe I saw months ago someone in the UK post in your Vlog before you left for the UK something along these lines. If this sounds like something you would be interested in doing, maybe some of your 50K subscribers might have some contacts to help. Just a thought, keep up the good fight!